FOXBORO - With rookie mini-camp starting Friday morning, the Patriots have announced their undrafted rookie free agent group.
According to the release sent by the team they are:
RB Brandon Bolden, 22, finished his college career at Mississippi ranked second in school history in total touchdowns (33) and rushing touchdowns (27) and fourth in rushing yards (2,604). Bolden, 5-11, 215 pounds, played in 10 games with four starts in 2011 and totaled 96 carries for 462 yards and four touchdowns while serving as a team captain.
DL Marcus Forston, 22, was limited to three games last season at Miami due to an injury. Forston, 6-3, 300 pounds, played in 13 games with 12 starts in 2010 and registered 37 total tackles, 3.0 sacks and one interception.
DE Justin Francis, 23, appeared in 12 games in 2011 at Rutgers and tallied 60 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception and five passes defensed. Francis, 6-4, 275 pounds, appeared in seven games as a true freshman in 2007 before being redshirted in 2008.
TE Brad Herman, 22, played in 12 games with three starts as a senior at Iowa last year, finishing with eight catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Herman, 6-5, 255 pounds, was a four-year letter winner at Iowa.
WR Matt Roark, 22, appeared in all 12 games as a senior at Kentucky and finished with a career-high 36 receptions for 349 yards and his first career touchdown. Roark, 6-5, 214 pounds, led Kentucky to its first win over Tennessee since 1984 when he filled in at quarterback and completed four-of-six passes for 15 yards and rushed 24 times for 140 yards.
New England Patriots
OL Jeremiah Warren, 24, started the final 38 games of his career at South Florida at guard. Warren, 6-4, 329 pounds, was named to the All-Big east second-team as a senior after starting all 12 games at guard.
T Markus Zusevics, 23, started at right tackle as a junior and senior at Iowa. Zusevics, 6-5, 300 pounds, was named honorable mention All-Big ten as a senior.
Bolden is an intriguing player given he's following the same path BenJarvus Green-Ellis did. Green-Ellis was undrafted out of Ole Miss like Bolden and had a terrific run as a short-yardage, between-the-tackles back who could make the yards in front of him, protect the ball and always make positive yards.
With Green-Ellis signing with the Bengals this offseason, the 5-11, 222-pound Bolden has a chance but he'll have to beat out Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and Joseph Addai.
The Patriots liked Warren enough to work him out personally the week before the draft and Zusevics is well regarded as well.